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Stuart Harrison of RRR's 'The Architects'

Studio Visit

Stuart Harrison's brand new book 'a Place in the Sun' published by Thames & Hudson

Layout from 'A Place in the Sun' by Stuart Harrison, design by Stuart Geddes of Chase & Galley

One of the amazing homes in Stuart's new book. Shoal Bay Bach in NZ – Parsonson Architects.

Image from Stuart's book - House Hafner, NSW - Tribe Studio

As someone who rambles on often about things I secretly don't actually know too much about, I have particular admiration for people who REALLY and TRULY know their stuff. Stuart Harrison is one of these people. He is probably Melbourne's best loved architecture nerd. (I hope he won't mind me saying that).

Stuart is also what I would affectionately describe as 'Melbourne Famous'. He has an architecture firm of his own - Harrison and White (HAW), based in Brunswick, but you probably know him better as one of Triple RRR's radio hosts - his Tuesday night radio show 'The Architects' has been going strong since 2003 and it would be fair to say has somewhat of a cult following amongst local architecture lovers! Stuart and co-hosts Simon Knott, Christine Phillips (and occasionally also Rory Hyde) strike the perfect balance between entertaining banter and a 'we seriously know what we're talking about' attitude.

Stuart's passion for good local and sustainable architecture in particular is quite infectious - it's hard not to be enthused about local design and architecture after a chat with Stuart! What is perhaps most unique is Stuart's populist approach to architecture - he believes good building design should and can be widely appreciated by all - not just design buffs! Much of his work with 'The Architects' radio show on RRR has been about bringing awareness of architecture into the wider realm, and making it accessible to everyone.

Continuing on this mission(!!), Stuart has just released a brand new book - 'A Place in the Sun', published by Thames & Hudson! I was super lucky to receive a copy from T&H (thankyou Michelle!) and it is truly brilliant! So lovely to read about local homes which are unique to the Australian (and New Zealand) landscape and climate. Stuart has sourced and researched over 40 striking homes - from the sunny beaches of tropical Queensland to the terrace houses of inner-city living. A Place in the Sun curates a beautiful collection of cutting-edge dwellings that respond to varied climates to maximise the sun’s potential. A truly great read and an especially great Christmas present, don't you think?!

Thames & Hudson have also kindly offered a copy of 'A Place in the Sun' for yet another Design Files giveaway! To be in the running, just leave a comment on this post before midnight tonight, Melbourne time. The winner will be selected at random and notified by email.

HUGE thanks to Stuart for his time with this interview (how do you find time for anything Stuart!) and to Michelle Brasington at Thames & Hudson for the beautiful image selection and the giveaway!

Tell us a little about your background – did you always want to be an architect? What path led you to setting up your own firm?

An astronaut at first, but architect from the age of ten or so… I studied first at UWA in Perth then moved over to Melbourne for a year – that ended up as fifteen years, completing at RMIT and in 1999 starting my own firm…probably way too young but I wanted to be involved…

What have been some of your favourite architectural projects in recent years?

Toyo Ito’s Sendai Mediatheque is a great project I got to see in 2007 in the flesh… a new way of thinking about structure and space… it got me into Ito in a big way and I was lucky enough to meet and interview him last year.

In addition to running HAW, you also co-host super popular Triple R radio show The Architects. How did this opportunity originally come about, and has the popularity of the radio show had an impact on your own architectural practice?

Simon Knott and I were asked to do a few architecture segments on a summer fill-in show back in 2003, this led to a regular gig on Bruce Berryman’s show. We were then offered our own show by RRR out of the blue… we were surprised but we saw it as a great opportunity to get architecture into the wider realm, so we took it, not knowing really what we were doing…. But it has helped me as a communicator, and architecture is often about that. In terms of the practice, it has added another dimension to why we might make good architecture….

AND in addition to HAW and Triple R, you somehow found time to write a BOOK this year!? How on earth did you manage that!? Has ‘A Place in the Sun’ been simmering for some time?

Yes since last year – Thames & Hudson were keen to get some new voices and I was keen to continue the process of getting good architecture out there… to make it less abstract and elitist, something for all. I did most of the writing last summer when we were a bit quieter in the office, but it did dominate my whole life for a while – we had a great designer in Stuart Geddes and it was great to work with him again.

Page from 'A Place in the Sun', designed by Stuart Geddes

What do you think defines a uniquely ‘Australian’ design aesthetic when it comes to residential architecture?

I’m a pluralist at heart so like a diverse range of approaches, but there is something about the sun and how we chose to deal with it - and the book is about this. Historically Australian houses have been pretty good at protecting themselves – verandahs, screening, and later on orientation - but air-conditioning ruined the necessity for that. The book looks at houses that innovate, and that’s what I like most.

Another stunning Australian home from Stuart's book - this is Ivanhoe House in Victoria by Kerstin Thompson Architects.

What does a typical day at work involve for you?

Each one is different and that’s what I wanted a life in architecture to be. Most of them have a bit of everything that I do, work at the office on projects, media stuff with the radio show and writing, and then teaching often at night. There are often a little frantic, but that is better than not having stuff to do – that stresses me out.

Where do you turn for creative inspiration in your own practice – books, international magazines, the internet, your environment, travel, nature, family or friends… etc?

All places – architects I admire and yes books and magazines, but also that which surrounds us – the ordinary stuff of the city. I’m also pretty sure Star Wars has had a big influence; I seem to reference it all the time when talking to students.

Which other designers, artists or creative people are you most inspired by at the moment?

Would love to see that Sydney to Melbourne fast train line get up; to be involved in that someway would be great. My post-grad research was into suburban and regional public buildings and this where I would like to work in practice over the next few years – where architecture can make things a bit better.

What are you looking forward to?

Doing bigger buildings, working with exciting people, travelling and seeing architecture being widely appreciated and for all.

Melbourne Questions –

Your favourite Melbourne neighbourhood and why?

Brunswick – I live and work here, it’s a place in transition but right now it’s ideal - capturing both the old and new versions – the bars and mechanics, the apartments and fabricators – a truly mixed-use environment. I still love my old haunts of Collingwood, Fitzroy and St Kilda but they have lost something.

Wonderful to see Robin Boyd’s legacy preserved through the work of briliant young Australian architects. Can’t wait to open the cover!

7 years ago

Libby

7 years ago

Architecture porn at its best!

7 years ago

Amanda B

7 years ago

After the weather we have been having this book might be the only way I will get a place in the SUN!

7 years ago

Millie

7 years ago

Looks like a great book – love that its Australian!

7 years ago

Anna

7 years ago

what an inspiration for summer

7 years ago

Elizabeth

7 years ago

Strategic arcitecture is going to become incrasingly important in Australia over the coming years as our landscape and climate chages.
Its always so great to see Architects taking this into account and working with instead of against the natural environment of the project they are working on.
Congrats to Stuart – the book looks amazing!

7 years ago

thomas

7 years ago

Looking forward to some time in the sun over this coming holidays !

fingers crossed

7 years ago

Edwina

7 years ago

Looks so beautiful but the thing I love about quality architecture books is the inspiration I get for my own little pad. Also, love it when there are lots of Melbourne buildings so we can go on lovely sunday afternoon drives for a squizz!!

7 years ago

Georgie

7 years ago

Lots of inspiration for my new extension.

7 years ago

Natalie

7 years ago

This looks like the perfect chrissy gift book – though i think it would be hard to give away…!!

Looks like a really interesting book, I would absolutley love to have a good read from cover to cover. Stuart mentioned that his dream project would be working on a fast train Sydney-Melbourne, I’m sure if he was involved it would be truley amazing.

7 years ago

Matthew

7 years ago

What a great book!

7 years ago

melanie

7 years ago

how lovely.

7 years ago

Michelle

7 years ago

Looks wonderful

7 years ago

Kerry Smith

7 years ago

I like the energy and passion for good local architecture expressed here. And now I will tune in to 3RRR Tuesday nights.

I am a fan of the RRR segment and follow Start’s work, so count me in!

7 years ago

shka

7 years ago

i love The Architects.. and this book looks brilliant! Congratulations Stuart!
ps. that shoal bay bach is incredible…

7 years ago

Vicky

7 years ago

Fun interview. Looking forward to get a copy.

7 years ago

Luci

7 years ago

Great looking book! Thanks for the giveaway.

7 years ago

Chris

7 years ago

Just got married last month and finally purchased a new home with the love of my life. Our humble digs aren’t exactly what’s in this stunning book bur hey, we can all dream right? :) Great writeup and keep it up!

7 years ago

Mel

7 years ago

loving a new architectural book !!!

7 years ago

Cleo Ryan

7 years ago

Good architecture and good design has such influence on our lives in so many ways, some we don’t even realise. That’s really the special thing about it, when you don’t notice the effect because it makes living/working so easy. I would love to learn more about the innovative ways people are dealing with how much sun/warmth they allow in to their homes and when they allow it. Congratulations on the book.

I am a long standing fan of “The Architects” and a fan of local Australian architects featured in this gorgeous book,I have brought three copies as Chrissie presents for friends, so I would love to win a copy to read and enjoy over my summer holidays!:)

7 years ago

Heidi

7 years ago

love seeing such a great read!

7 years ago

Gina Ropiha

7 years ago

Great to see the AAMI stadium and Fitzroy High got a plug in Mr Harrison’s interview … architecture might just be for everyone after all! The book looks beautiful and is a credit to both the author and designer -definitely a “new voice” worth listening to.

7 years ago

Cherie

7 years ago

Wow. Absolutely inspired creations that show the amazing diversity of the Australian suburbs. Yellow brick 1960s spectre begone!

7 years ago

JacQueline

7 years ago

Love to put this on my coffeetable

7 years ago

Stephanie Darling

7 years ago

Oh I hope I could be so lucky! (although I would drool on every page)

7 years ago

Gerald

7 years ago

Inspired article punctuated by consistently outstanding examples, illustrating the strength of Australian architecture.

7 years ago

caro

7 years ago

oh i love the architects radio show – great to see stuart featured here. the book looks so inspiring too!

7 years ago

Jackie

7 years ago

Ooh I love The Architects! It would be great to have a little piece of my own!

Walk through Melbourne Uni every day and never knew what a gem the car park is!

7 years ago

Andy

7 years ago

Can’t wait to check out this new book, sounds really interesting.

7 years ago

ness

7 years ago

Hot diggity!!!! What amazing vision and talent.

7 years ago

Myf

7 years ago

It is always good to see Australian (and NZ) designers supporting Australian (and NZ) design. With energy bills and wether patterns getting more and more extreme its always exciting to see what innovative and often crazy solutions designers are developing.

7 years ago

Megha

7 years ago

So going to be my BIBLE on good architecture!!……would love to have a copy!!…..:)